AirRay

Year

2007

The idea

The flying manta ray moves by means of flapping wing propulsion with Fin Ray effect.

The objective

AirRay is a remote-controlled helium ballonet with a lightweight structure that demonstrates energy efficiency.

Technical data

• Wingspan: 420 cm
• Length: 280 cm
• Height: 68 cm
• Weight: 1600 g
• Power supply: 2 lithium-polymer batteries, 8 V, 1500 mAh

Drive

With its specially developed flapping wing drive, AirRay moves freely like a bird. A servo motor moves the wing fins up and down by alternately pulling and twisting their two flanks in the longitudinal direction. Its structure – as well as that of the elevator – is designed with Fin Ray effect to give the flying object maximum power.

Structure

This flying object is a remote-controlled helium ballonet with a lightweight structure; it weighs only 1600 grams despite its wingspan of 4.20 metres, its length of 2.80 metres and its height of 0.68 metres. The impermeable covering is made of aluminium-coated PET foil (polyethylene terephthalate) weighing 22 grams per square metre. Buoyancy is provided by 1.6 cubic metres of helium inside the ballonet.

Material

AirRay